THE JACK LYNCH Tunnel in Cork is to close on week nights for as long as six months from October in order to carry out necessary maintenance.

The National Roads Authority has confirmed that the multi-million euro tunnel, which is one of the busiest in the country, is to close for 11 hours each weekday night from October until March next year, the Irish Examiner reports.

This is in order to carry out work necessary under EU fire regulations. The fire protection upgrade could be carried out a lot quicker if the road was closed altogether but the NRA said it recognises that such a move would cause significant disruption with in excess of 65,000 vehicles passing through the road linking the north and south of the city each day.

It is estimated that around 8,000 vehicles use the tunnel between 8pm and 7am, meaning the proposed week night closure would cause much less disruption.

The Dublin Port Tunnel and the Limerick Tunnel have already complied with the EU regulations, RTÉ reports. The regulations stipulate that tunnels should be fitted with flame-retardant cladding to protect the structure in the event of a fire. The closures will be suspended during major events in the city.

The tunnel usually closes for maintenance overnight every three months to facilitate wall cleaning, road surfacing, light fittings, and other maintenance to equipment.

No one from Cork City Council could be reached for comment this afternoon.